A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain British Aerospace BAe Model ATP airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 1999 (64 FR 38156). That action proposed to require repetitive replacements of the weight on wheels microswitch harness subassembly with a new microswitch harness subassembly.
Comments Received
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comment received.
The commenter states that the full name and address from which service information is obtained has changed. The FAA concurs and has changed the service information name and address to British Aerospace Regional Aircraft, 13850 Mclearen Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171.
The commenter also states that the British Aerospace Alert Service BulletinATP-A32-93, dated October 3, 1998, has been revised to include a reference to revised Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin 200-32-257, which is now at Revision No. 2. British Aerospace Service Bulletin ATP-32-93, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999, does not contain any changes except for reference to the revised Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin. The revision to the Messier-Dowty Limited Service Bulletin introduces a revised and clarified set-up and test procedure using different (but readily available) test equipment. Since these changes are considered minor, and since they clarify and improve the original service bulletin, the commenter requests that British Aerospace Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999, be referenced in the AD.
The FAA concurs with the request to include the cited revised service information. The final rule is revised to require accomplishment of the actions in accordance with British Aerospace Service Bulletin, Revision 1, dated August 2, 1999. A note is included in the final rule to allow accomplishment of the actions in accordance with the earlier British Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin ATP-A32-93, dated October 3, 1998, prior to the effective date of this AD.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $5,300 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $54,800, or $5,480 per airplane, per replacement cycle.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a "significant rule" under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption "ADDRESSES."
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: